Seal assembly for a movable window for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A seal assembly for a movable window pane which is raisable or lowerable in a vehicle window opening includes a one-piece, closed-loop construction which is formed from two molded sealing elements secured together to form a sealing member adapted to be secured along the periphery of a window opening and to provide continuous sealing engagement with the interior and exterior periphery of the movable window pane. The one-piece seal assembly replaces a plurality of individual sealing components which are conventionally used to provide the weather seal between a vehicle window opening and a movable window pane which slides up or down to open or close the window opening. 
     A method for forming a one-piece, closed-loop seal assembly includes the steps of molding an inner sealing element having a continuous, closed-loop structure, molding an outer sealing element having a continuous, closed-loop structure, and then securing the sealing elements together to form a one-piece, closed-loop sealing member adapted to seal between a vehicle window opening and a window pane which can be raised or lowered within the opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a weather seal assembly for movable windowpanes in automotive vehicles. More particularly, the invention relatesto a unitary, closed-loop seal assembly which provides continuoussealing engagement with both the interior and exterior periphery of amovable window pane of a vehicle door. The invention also relates to amethod of molding a unitary closed-loop seal assembly having interiorand exterior sealing elements which cooperatively provide continuoussealing engagement about both the interior and the exterior periphery ofa movable window pane of a vehicle door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional seals for movable window panes in automotive vehiclesgenerally include a plurality of individual sealing strips including,for example, individual glass runs, header, and inner and outerbeltstrips. The assembly process for conventional movable window sealsis generally cumbersome and time consuming, requiring the separatesequential attachment of each individual sealing strip to the windowopening of the vehicle. In addition, the use of a plurality ofindividual sealing strips to seal a single window opening often resultsin gaps between adjacent edges of individual sealing strips. Gapsbetween adjacent sealing strips are undesirable because they areaesthetically unpleasing, and can often allow water and air leakage,along with the noise and draftiness associated with air leakage.

Another disadvantage with conventional seals for movable window panes inautomotive vehicles is that the sealing strips are generally extrudedand therefore have a constant cross sectional shape and size, therebyeffectively restricting the contours of doors utilizing such sealingstrips to relatively simple geometric structures which are substantiallyfree of offsets, indentations, and the like in the window opening.

The dimensional reproducibility of extruded articles is alsounfavorable, with typical dimensional variations being about ±4 percent.Variations of this magnitude can result in unsightly discontinuitiesbetween adjacent installed sealing strips, and can lead to waste due tothe rejection of sealing strips having intolerable dimensionalvariations.

In addition to assembly problems which result in high labor expendituresand problems relating to gaps in the assembled seal, a relatively largenumber of steps are required during the production and handling of allof the individual sealing strips, especially when the individual sealingstrips required for a window opening are different from one another.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,463 to Schroder et al. discloses a window frame formovable windows in automotive vehicles. The frame is an extruded rubberprofile comprising a pair of sealing strips which are connected as onepiece by a connecting bridge which rests against the edge of a window.The connecting bridge is separated from the sealing strip in the regionof the lower edge of the window cutout to enable passage of the movablewindow pane. The window frame has ends which are butted and buttvulcanized, thereby eliminating gaps in the seal. The window framedisclosed by Schroder et al., however, has substantially all of theother disadvantages associated with extruded sealing strips, includinglimitations relating to constant cross sectional shape and size, andrelatively high dimensional variations. In addition, the butt vulcanizedjoint will tend to have an unpleasant appearance. The frame and sealassembly of Schroder et al., like other extruded weather sealing strips,are not readily adaptable to accommodate complex window contours havingoffsets, indentations and the like.

Accordingly, a weather seal assembly having a continuous closed-loopstructure which is free of gaps and which does not require any buttvulcanizing or other jointing steps during installation, therebysimplifying manufacturing and installation while providing a betterappearance and allowing for adaptation to complex window contours, wouldbe highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a weather seal assembly for a movablewindow of a vehicle has been provided which overcomes the disadvantagesof the prior art. The seal comprises a one piece, continuous,closed-loop sealing strip which is free of any discontinuities and whichdoes not require any jointing operations, such as butt vulcanization, tocomplete installation of the seal assembly onto a window opening of anautomotive vehicle door. The seal assembly, therefore, replaces theplurality of individual sealing strips such as pillar or glass runsealing strips, header or top run sealing strips, and inner and outerbeltline sealing strips, which are typically utilized, therebysimplifying and reducing the number of steps required to manufacture andinstall the window seals. Because the seal assembly of the inventionutilizes a single continuous loop which is adapted to be secured alongthe periphery of a window opening, procurement, inventory, and handlingprocedures are also simplified. The absence of gaps in the sealingassembly provides for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance,eliminates draftiness and noise associated with air leakage, andeliminates water leakage.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the sealassembly is a molded article as opposed to an extruded article, therebyproviding a seal assembly having an improved appearance and eliminatingthe problems associated with extruded sealing strips. In particular,molded articles exhibit improved production repeatability when comparedwith extruded articles. Dimensional variations for molded articles aretypically about ±0.05 percent as opposed to about ±4 percent forextruded articles. Accordingly, the molded seal assemblies of theinvention are expected to have a more consistent high qualityappearance, substantially free of significant dimensional variations. Inaddition, consistent production repeatability is expected to result inreduced waste on account of fewer rejections based on intolerabledimensional variations. Another advantage of the molded weather sealassemblies of the invention is that they can be molded into morecomplicated shapes than are possible with extruded weather sealingstrips, thereby providing a simple but effective means for weathersealing vehicle window openings having relatively complicated contoursincluding offsets, indentations and the like.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the sealassemblies can be molded from thermoplastic elastomers such as EPDM towhich pigment can be added thereby allowing for the fabrication ofvarious colored seal assemblies which can be color coordinated with theexterior body panels of a vehicle.

The seal assembly of the invention is preferably fabricated by molding acontinuous, closed-loop inner sealing element and a continuous,closed-loop outer sealing element, and then securing the inner and outermolded sealing elements together to form a unitary, continuous,closed-loop sealing assembly for weather sealing between a windowopening of a vehicle and the periphery of a movable window pane whichcan be raised to close the window opening. The sealing assembly isadapted to be secured to the periphery of a vehicle window opening withthe interior and exterior elements cooperating to provide continuoussealing engagement with the interior and exterior periphery of a movablewindow pane.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the invention, the sealassembly is fabricated in an injection press with a horizontally openingplaten. The mold has an inner seal die which together with a removabledivider plate defines an inner seal mold cavity, and an outer seal diewhich together with the removable divider defines an outer seal moldcavity. The material used to form the seal elements is preferably athermoplastic elastomeric material such as EPDM rubber. The sealassembly is formed by positioning the dies in the closed position withthe removable divider sandwiched between the inner and outer seal dies,then simultaneously injecting a thermoplastic elastomeric material intothe inner and outer seal mold cavities to form the inner and outersealing elements. After the inner and outer sealing elements have beenformed, the mold is opened and the divider plate is removed. Adhesivematerials are then applied to selected surfaces of the inner sealingelements, outer sealing element, or both. Optionally, a flock adhesiveand flock may be selectively applied to surfaces which are designed toresiliently and slidably engage and seal against a window pane. The moldis then again closed without the divider between the inner and outerseal dies and optionally heat is applied to bond the inner and outersealing element together into a one piece sealing assembly. The mold isonce again opened and the finished seal assembly is removed.Alternatively, instead of flocking, a conventional low friction coatingcan be applied to the selected surfaces designed to engage the windowpane in order to reduce friction between the seal assembly and thewindow pane. The foregoing fabrication process permits concurrentmolding of both an inner sealing element and an outer sealing element,and subsequent bonding of the inner and outer sealing elements in asingle molding apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a particular preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the A-pillar side portion of theseal assembly installed in the window opening of a vehicle door;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the header portion of the sealassembly installed in the window opening of a vehicle door;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the B-pillar side portion of theseal assembly installed in the window opening of a vehicle door;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the inner and outer beltline sealingstrips of the seal assembly installed in the window opening of a vehicledoor;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an optional downwardly dependingglass run extension of the seal assembly installed in the window openingof a vehicle door;

FIG. 7 is an elevational cross section of a molding apparatus formolding a seal assembly having features in accordance with theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational cross section of the molding apparatus of FIG.7 with the mold open and with the divider plate removed;

FIG. 9 is an elevational cross section of the molding apparatus of FIG.7 with the mold open and showing robotic means for applying adhesive andoptional functional coating;

FIG. 10 is an elevational cross section of the molding apparatus of FIG.7 showing the mold closed with the divider plate removed;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the A-pillar side portion of analternative preferred embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the header portion of thealternative preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the B-pillar side portion of thealternative preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will now be described with reference to its application ina typical front seat door having a movable window pane, i.e. a raisableand lowerable sliding window pane. It will, however, be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art that the features and principlesof the invention are generally applicable to a variety of sliding windowpanes requiring weather seals, including various passenger side doors orback doors having movable windows with similar or different shapedwindow openings, such as complicated window opening contours havingoffsets indentations and the like.

An elevational view facing the outboard side of a seal assembly inaccordance with the principles of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Theseal assembly 10 is a one piece construction having a pair of laterallyspaced side portions 12 and 14, a header portion 16, and a pair ofparallel spaced opposing beltline sealing strips 18 and 20 (shown inFIG. 5) which connect the A-pillar side portion 12 with the B-pillarside portion 14. The outer beltline sealing strip 18 is spaced from theinner beltline sealing strip 20 (see FIG. 5) to define an openingthrough which a movable window pane can be raised or lowered. The sideportions 12 and 14 together with the header portion 16 and beltlinesealing strips 18 and 20 define an opening which substantially coincideswith the window opening of a vehicle in which the seal assembly is to beutilized. The seal assembly is formed of a resilient elastomericmaterial preferably having low friction surfaces which slidingly andsealingly engage the peripheral surfaces of a movable window pane. Theseal assembly can also include a pair of downwardly depending glass runextensions 22 and 24 which are adapted to be secured to the internalwindow pane guides of a vehicle door having a movable window pane. Theextensions 22 and 24 are not generally provided for weather sealingpurposes but instead serve as nonabrasive, low-friction guide liners forpromoting smooth movement of the movable window pane as it is beingraised or lowered. Accordingly, the extensions 22 and 24 can be formedas separate pieces without departing from the main purpose of theinvention which is to provide a seal assembly which is sealingly securedalong the periphery of a window opening and which has interior andexterior sealing elements providing continuous sealing engagement withboth the interior and exterior periphery of a movable window pane.

A cross section of the A-pillar side portion 12 of the seal assembly 10installed in the window opening of a vehicle door is shown in FIG. 2. Asis well known in the art, the window opening of a vehicle door istypically defined along the top and sides of the window opening by asubstantially continuous U-shaped channel which is rigidly securedeither directly or indirectly to both the door frame and to inner 23 andouter door panel parts 25. The U-shaped channels such as channel 26serve as rigid underlying guide means for the movable window pane and asretaining means for the seal assembly which is generally secured to theU-shaped channels and interposed between the channels and the movablewindow pane. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the sealassembly is fabricated from an integrally formed, closed-loop innersealing element 28 and an integrally formed closed-loop outer sealingelement 30 which are securely bonded together to form a unitary sealassembly. A preferred means for securing the sealing elements is toprovide one of the sealing elements with a projecting ridge 32 whichfits snugly into or mates with a deep groove or furrow 34 in the othersealing element. The ridge 32 and furrow 34 are each preferablycontinuous about the closed-loop of the respective sealing elements andwhen mated provide an interference fit which secures the sealingelements together. The sealing elements can also be secured or furthersecured to each other such as by thermal fusion or by applying adhesivesto the mating surfaces of the ridge and/or furrow before mating thesealing elements.

Various conventional means, such as camming projections 36 and 40 whichallow the seal assembly to be pushed into the channel 26 and engageholes or slots in the channel to lock the seal assembly in place bymeans of a stop comprising a flat surface on the camming projectionwhich is at approximately a right angle to the trailing edge of thecamming surface, can be utilized to secure the seal assembly to theperiphery of the window opening.

As shown in FIG. 2, the A-pillar portion of the inner sealing element 28and outer sealing element 30, respectively, have projecting portions 42and 44 with surfaces which resiliently and slidingly engage and sealinterior and exterior surfaces of the window pane 46, respectively.Additionally, a transition portion 48 is provided to aid in concealingspot or pinch welds between and/or on the inner door panel 23 and theU-shaped channel 26, and/or to provide an aesthetically pleasing smoothtransition between the seal assembly and the inner panel part 23.

A cross section of the header portion 16 of the seal assembly 10installed in the window opening of a vehicle door is shown in FIG. 3.The details of the header portion 16 are generally similar to those ofthe A-pillar side portion 12. A L-shaped member 58 serves as a rigidunderlying structure and support means for the header portion 16 of theseal assembly 10. Suitable means for securing the seal assembly to theheader portion of the window opening include camming projections 54 and56 which are generally functionally and structurally similar to cammingprojections 36 and 40 and which engage slots or holes in the parts 58and 52, respectively. The inner sealing element 28 is preferably securedto the outer sealing element 30 by means of a projecting ridge 32 andfurrow 34 in combination with fusion or adhesives as previouslydisclosed. The header portion of the inner sealing element 28 and outersealing element 30, respectively, have projecting portions 60 and 62with surfaces which resiliently and slidingly engage and seal interiorand exterior surfaces, respectively, of the upper periphery of themovable window pane 46. Transitional portions 64 and 66 provide asmooth, aesthetically pleasing transition between the seal assembly andthe inner panel part 50 and the outer panel part 52, respectively.

The details of the B-pillar portion 14 of the seal assembly are bothstructurally and functionally similar to those of the A-pillar portion.FIG. 4 is a cross section of the B-pillar side portion of the sealassembly 10 installed in the window opening of a vehicle door. AU-shaped channel 72 serves as a rigid underlying structure and supportmeans for the B-pillar side portion 14 of the seal assembly 10. TheU-shaped channel 72 is firmly secured as by welding or otherconventional techniques to the door structure such as to inner doorpanel part 69 and outer door panel part 71. Conventional means such ascamming projections 68 and 70 can be utilized for securing the sealassembly to a U-shaped channel 72. The inner sealing element 28 ispreferably secured to the outer sealing element 30 by means of aprojecting ridge 32 which is snugly received within a furrow 34.Adhesives or fusion are preferably utilized to firmly secure the sealingelements 28 and 30 together. The B-pillar portion of the inner sealingelement 28 and outer sealing element 30, respectively have projectingportions 74 and 76 with surfaces which resiliently and slidingly engageand seal interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of the windowpane periphery. A transitional portion 78 provides a smooth,aesthetically pleasing transition between the seal assembly and theinner panel part 69.

The details of the outer beltline sealing strip 18 and the innerbeltline sealing strip 20 are shown in cross section in FIG. 5, whereinthe outer beltline sealing strips 18 of the seal assembly is shownsecured to a typical vehicle door assembly having an outer show panel 80secured along its top edge to an internal outboard panel 82 to form aflange 84 and wherein the inner beltline sealing strip 20 is shownsecured to a flange 86 formed by securing the top edge of an internalinboard panel 88 to the top edge of an inner door panel 90. The internaloutboard panel 82 and the internal inboard panel 88 are laterally spacedto generally define a volume into which the movable window can be atleast partially concealed when the window is lowered by conventionaldoor window regulator means. The inner and outer beltline sealing stripsare adapted to be secured to flanges 86 and 84, respectively. The innerbeltline sealing strip 20 has a pair of downwardly depending wallportions 92 and 94 which are spaced to securely received flange 86therebetween. The seal assembly is further secured along the innerbeltline to the flange 86 by a plurality of hook-like extensions 96 ofwall 92. Similarly, the outer beltline sealing strip 18 has a pair ofdownwardly depending wall portions 98 and 100 which are spaced tosecurely receive flange 84 therebetween. The seal assembly is furthersecured along the outer and inner beltlines to the flanges 84 and 86,respectively, by a plurality of hook extensions 102 and 96 of walls 98and 92, respectively, which engage holes or slots in flanges 84 and 86,respectively, along the bottom of a window opening. The inner and outerbeltline sealing strips, respectively, have projecting portions 104 and106 with surfaces which resiliently and slidingly engage and sealinterior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of the window pane.

The cross sectional details of the optional downwardly depending glassrun extensions 22 and 24 are substantially mirror images of one anotherand will therefore be described only with reference to extension 22shown in FIG. 6. The extensions 22 and 24 are adapted to be received ingenerally U-shaped channels substantially similar to channel 26 shown inFIG. 2. The extensions are secured to the U-shaped channels by means ofcamming projections 108 and 110 which are structurally and functionallysimilar to the camming projections 36 and 40. As with the A-pillar sideportion 12, header portion 16, and B-pillar side portion 14 of the sealassembly 10, the inner sealing element 28 is preferably secured to theouter sealing element 30 by means of a projecting ridge 32 which issecurely received within a furrow 34. Firm securement of the sealingelements 28 and 30 to each other is preferably supplemented withadhesives or by fusing the elements together. The extension portions ofinner element 28 and outer element 30, respectively, have projectingportions 112 and 114 with surfaces which resiliently and slidinglyengage interior and exterior peripheral surfaces, respectively, of thewindow pane 46 to provide for smooth movement of the window pane alongthe generally U-shaped channels 26 and 72 which guide the window pane asit is raised or lowered.

There is shown in FIGS. 11-13 an alternative preferred embodiment of theinvention. The sealing elements of the alternative embodiment aregenerally similar to the first preferred embodiment and differ primarilyin the means by which they are secured to the door panel parts.Accordingly, parts similar to those of the first preferred embodiment,as shown in FIGS. 1-6, are similarly numbered.

The A-pillar portion of the alternative preferred embodiment of theinvention has an inner and outer sealing element 28 and 30,respectively, shown in FIG. 11. The inner sealing element 28 and outersealing element 30, respectively, have projecting portions 42 and 44with surfaces which resiliently and slidingly engage the seal interiorand exterior surfaces of the window pane 46, respectively. Theprojecting portions 42 and 44 can project away from the edge of thewindow pane 46, such as is shown in FIG. 2, or toward the edge of thewindow pane, as shown in FIG. 11. A transition portion 48 can beprovided to conceal spot or pinch welds between and/or on the inner doorpanel 23 and the U-shaped channel 26, and/or to provide an aestheticallypleasing smooth transition between the seal assembly and the inner panelpart 23. A second transition portion 49 can also be provided on outersealing element 30 to provide an aesthetically pleasing smoothtransition between the seal assembly and the outer door panel part 25.

As with the first preferred embodiment, the alternative preferredembodiment of the seal assembly is fabricated from an integrally formed,closed-loop inner sealing element 28 and an integrally formedclosed-loop outer sealing element 30 which are securely bonded togetherto form a unitary seal assembly. The inner and outer sealing elementscan be secured to one another in any conventional manner such aspreviously described with respect to the first preferred embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 11, a plurality of mating ridges and furrows, resembling asquare wave, can be used to provide an interference fit which securesthe sealing elements together.

In accordance with the alternative embodiment of the invention, theinner and outer sealing elements 28 and 30, respectively, are providedwith fingers 202 and 204 which are resiliently biased substantiallyoutwardly away from the plane of the window opening in substantiallyopposite directions toward the opposing sides of channel member 26 tosecure the seal assembly within the channel by means of frictionalengagement and/or an interference fit with the channel member, therebyfacilitating easy installation without the need for retaining clips orslots in the channel member.

A cross-section of the header portion 16 of the seal assembly 10 of thealternative preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 12.The details of the header portion 16 are generally similar to those ofthe first preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the primary differencebeing the means by which the seal assembly is secured to the inner andouter door panel parts 50 and 52, respectively.

As with the A-pillar portion of the assembly, various conventional meanscan be used to secure the outer sealing element 30 to the inner sealingelement 28 along the header portion. Such means, as previouslydescribed, include fusion, adhesion, and interference fit or acombination thereof.

The header portion of the inner sealing element 28 and outer sealingelement 30, respectively, have projecting fingers 60' and 62' withsurfaces which resiliently and slidingly engage and seal interior andexterior surfaces, respectively, of the upper periphery of the movablewindow pane 46. The fingers 60' and 62' can project toward the edge ofthe window opening, as shown in FIG. 12, away from the window opening(in a manner analogous to that of projecting portions 42 and 44 shown inFIG. 2), or substantially perpendicular to the glass pane (in a mannersimilar to projecting portions 60 and 62 shown in FIG. 3), so long asthe fingers or projecting portions are effective at resiliently andslidingly engaging and sealing along the periphery of the window pane.Transitional portions 64 and 66 provide a smooth, aesthetically pleasingtransition between the seal assembly and the inner panel part 50 and theouter panel part 52, respectively.

In accordance with the alternative embodiment of the invention, theinner and outer sealing elements 28 and 30, respectively, are providedwith fingers 206 and 208 which are resiliently biased outwardly awayfrom the plane of the window pane in opposite directions toward theopposing door panel parts 58 and 52, respectively, to secure the sealassembly to the window opening along the header portion by means offrictional engagement and/or an interference fit, thereby facilitatingeasy installation without the need for retaining clips or slots in theparts 58 and 52.

The details of the B-pillar portion 14 of the seal assembly of thealternative preferred embodiment are similar to those of the A-pillarportion, and are shown in FIG. 13. A U-shaped channel 72 serves as arigid underlying structure and support means for the B-pillar sideportion 14 of the seal assembly. The U-shaped channel 72 is fixedlysecured to the door structure as to inner door panel part 69 and outerdoor panel part 71 as by welding or other conventional means. Variousmeans, as previously described, can be used for securing the outersealing element 30 to the inner sealing element 28 along the B-pillarportion of the seal assembly. The B-pillar portion of the inner sealingelement 28 and outer sealing element 30, respectively, have projectingportions 74 and 76 with surfaces which resiliently and slidingly engageand seal interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of the peripheryof the window pane 46. Transitional portions 78 and 79 provide a smooth,aesthetically pleasing transition between the seal assembly and theinner panel part 69. The inner and outer sealing elements 28 and 30,respectively, have fingers 210 and 212 which are resiliently biasedoutwardly away from the plane of the window pane in opposite directionstoward the opposing sides of the U-shaped channel 72 to secure the sealassembly to the window opening along the B-pillar portion by means offrictional engagement and/or an interference fit, whereby easyinstallation, without the need for retaining clips or slots in thechannel 72, is facilitated.

As will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,the disclosed cross-sectional shapes for the header portion, sideportions, beltline portions, and optional downwardly depending glass runextensions, are only illustrative and can be readily modified or adaptedto be used in vehicle window openings having a variety of differentshapes and designs without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Similarly, the disclosed means for securing the seal assemblyto the window and for securing the inner and outer sealing elementstogether to form a unitary seal assembly are only illustrative, with thevarious modifications and alternative means readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art being within the scope of the invention.

In accordance with the preferred embodiments, the inner and outer sealelements, 28 and 30 respectively, are molded of a flexible thermoplasticmaterial, preferably EPDM rubber, which is tough and resilient, andwhich can be molded with smooth, low-friction surfaces which canresiliently and slidingly engage and seal the surfaces of a movablewindow pane.

The thermoplastic materials used to form the seal assemblies of theinvention can be compounded with various conventional additives as areknown in the art including antioxidants, antimicrobials, lubricants,mold release agents, plasticizers, UV stabilizers, and the like, asdesired. Additionally, thermoplastic elastomers such as EPDM can becompounded with known colorants to repeatably produce seal assemblies ofgenerally any desired color in order to color coordinate the sealassembly with the show surfaces of the vehicle, e.g. the exterior bodypanels of the vehicle.

In order to promote better lubricating between the movable window paneand the surfaces of the seal assembly which engage the window panesurfaces, conventional flocking materials can be applied to the windowpane engaging surfaces of the seal assembly using techniques well knownin the art.

The seal assemblies can also be produced with integrally formed blowoutclips or mirror patches thereby eliminating the need for separatecomponents.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the seal assembly isfabricated by injection molding the inner seal element and out sealelement simultaneously in a mold assembly having two mold cavitiesseparated by a removable divider plate, opening the mold to remove thedivider and to apply adhesive to selected surfaces of the inner sealelement, the outer seal element or both the inner and outer sealelements, and then closing the mold and bonding the two elementstogether to form a one-piece seal assembly adapted to provide continuoussealing engagement between the periphery of a window opening in avehicle and the periphery of a movable window pane in the raised orclosed position.

An injection press molding apparatus 120 is shown in cross section inFIG. 7. The mold generally comprises an upper die plate 122, a removabledivider plate 124, and a lower die plate 126. The upper die plate andone side of the removable divider plate together define either the inneror outer seal element mold cavity 128, and the lower die plate and theother side of the removable divider plate together define the other sealelement mold cavity 130. With the mold closed as shown in FIG. 7, asuitable moldable thermoplastic or thermosetting polymeric compositionis substantially simultaneously injected into both of the mold cavities128 and 130. Thermoplastic elastomers are generally preferred becausethey have lower molding cycle times and are more easily compounded withcolorants to consistently and repeatedly produce seal assemblies havingany of a wide variety of desired colors.

After the inner and outer sealing elements have been formed, the mold isopened and the divider plate is removed as shown in FIG. 8. With themold open, adhesive materials are then applied to selected surfaces ofthe inner sealing elements, outer sealing elements or both, preferablyby preprogrammed robotic means 132 as shown in FIG. 9. Additionally,functional coatings such as a flocking adhesive or low friction coatingcan be applied at this stage, preferably by preprogrammed robotic means134. Thereafter, the mold is again closed, as shown in FIG. 10, withoutthe divider between the inner and outer seal dies to secure the sealingelements together. Optionally, heat can be applied to the mold to, forexample, cure the adhesive if a heat curable adhesive is used, or tofuse the elements together to form a one-piece sealing assembly. Themold is then opened and the finished seal assembly is removed.Alternatively, instead of flocking, an optional low friction coating canbe applied to selected surface at this stage instead of during theearlier stage before the mold is reclosed with the divider removed. Thecompleted seal assembly is then removed from the mold and the processcan then be repeated to produce additional mold assemblies.

While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, the best mode andpreferred embodiment has been set forth, the scope of the invention isnot limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A window seal assembly for a movable window,comprising;a closed-loop molded sealing member free of discontinuitiesadapted to be secured along the periphery of a window opening, thesealing member having inner and outer sealing elements adapted tocooperatively provide continuous sealing engagement with the interiorand exterior periphery of a movable window pane.
 2. A window sealassembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the closed-loop sealing memberis a pair of laterally spaced side portions, including an A-pillar sideportion and a B-pillar side portion, a header portion, and a pair ofspaced opposing beltline sealing strips which connect the A-pillar sideportion with the B-pillar side portion, the spacing between the beltlinesealing strips defining an opening through which a movable window panecan be raised or lowered.
 3. A window seal assembly as set forth inclaim 2, wherein the inner and outer sealing elements are each formed asa single piece having a closed-loop structure, and wherein the inner andouter sealing elements are secured together to form the seal assembly.4. A window seal assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the sealassembly is formed of a resilient elastomeric material.
 5. A window sealassembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the sealing elements aremolded of a thermoplastic elastomeric material.
 6. A window sealassembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic elastomericmaterial is EPDM rubber.
 7. A window seal assembly as set forth in claim5, further comprising a pair of glass run extensions each of whichextend downwardly from the bottom edge of the sealinq member and are insubstantial alignment respectively with said A-pillar and said B-pillarside portions, wherein said pair of glass run extensions serve asnonabrasive, low friction guide liners for promoting smooth movement ofthe movable window pane as it is raised or lowered.
 8. A window sealassembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein one of the sealing elementshas a ridge and the other has a groove which mates with the ridge toprovide an interference fit which secures the sealing elements together.9. A window seal assembly as set forth in claim 3, further comprisingmeans for securing the seal assembly along the periphery of a windowopening, the securing means including a plurality of camming projectionson the header and side portions, the camming projections being adaptedto engage slots of the window opening, and including a plurality of hookextensions on each of the inner and outer beltline sealing strips, thehook extensions being adapted to engage slots along the bottom of awindow opening.
 10. A window seal assembly as set forth in claim 3,further comprising means for securing the seal assembly along theperiphery of a window opening, the securing means including a pair offingers which are resiliently biased substantially outwardly away fromthe plane of the window opening in substantially opposite directionstoward the opposing door panel parts defining the window opening, tosecure the seal assembly to the window opening by means of frictionalengagement.